Tens of thousands in fresh protests in Brazil after government concessions

Tens of thousands of Brazilians have taken to the streets in new demonstrations, calling for a crackdown on corruption and better public services.

The new protests came a day after congress ceded to some of the key demands that galvanized protests across the country.

In Belo Horizonte, authorities said 40,000 people gathered to demand improved education and healthcare as police fired tear gas to disperse protesters near the stadium hosting a Confederations Cup football semi-final.

The unrest outside the venue, where Brazil beat Uruguay 2-1, was the latest in a wave of anti-government protests staged in part to denounce the high costs of hosting the event and next year's World Cup.

Hooded youths threw stones at police who used teargas to stop marchers 3 kilometres from the stadium. A banner hung from a bridge read, FIFA Go Home, in reference to the world soccer body. The game was not disrupted by the protests.

In Brasilia, demonstrators kicked soccer balls over a police cordon in the direction of congress in a peaceful protest against the billions of dollars Brazil has spent building new stadiums for the global tournaments under president Dilma Rousseff.

Bill passed to toughen corruption sentences

Almost two weeks after a wave of discontent suddenly erupted into Brazil's biggest protests in 20 years, the country's shaken political leadership is scrambling to respond to popular pressure for change.

The senate approved a bill on Wednesday that stiffens sentences for corruption, one day after congress rejected a constitutional amendment that limited the power of federal prosecutors to investigate crimes. That measure protesters saw as a self-serving move by politicians to avoid corruption probes.

"Our representatives are listening to the people now. We are creating a new political consciousness," said Amanda Caetano, a spokeswoman for a group in Brasilia demanding an end to the privileges enjoyed by politicians.

In another response to the protests, the lower house of congress voted overnight in favour of a bill allocating royalties from future oil production to education and health programs.

We are creating a new political consciousness.

Protester Amanda Caetano

And a senate committee approved a measure that would cut taxes on public transport, making it easier for cities and states to lower bus and subway fares.

The demonstrations on Wednesday were smaller than protests last week, which peaked when 1 million people poured onto the streets on Thursday. Political analysts say sporadic protests may become a feature of daily life in Brazil for the foreseeable future.

One common theme remains: a deep distrust of a political class that is widely viewed as corrupt, overpaid and more worried about serving itself than society at large.